Highlights from the 14th World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR 2025)
🚆 Highlights from the 14th World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR 2025)
Colorado Springs, USA
At this year’s World Congress on Railway Research, our colleagues Linus Brünner and Steffen Wieser presented three forward-looking studies that advance the shift toward a zero-emission rail network. Their contributions demonstrate how innovative technologies and integrated system approaches can significantly improve the sustainability and efficiency of future rail transport.
1. Waste Energy Analysis in Hydrogen Trains
As part of the Rail4EARTH project under the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, the team identified new technological opportunities for hydrogen-powered trains, including:
- Hydrogen expansion engines
- Hydrogen-powered air-conditioning systems (HyPAC)
These innovations show strong potential for increasing overall system efficiency.
2. Energy Demand for Air-Conditioning in Intermodal Pod Systems
Within the PODS4Rail project (Europe’s Rail), the researchers examined the energy-storage needs of next-generation rail-bound pod systems. Their findings provide valuable insights into designing efficient, passenger-friendly intermodal mobility solutions.
3. Holistic Modeling and Optimization of Hydrogen-Powered Trains
In the Wasserstoffschiene Heidekrautbahn project, the team developed an integrated simulation framework combining:
- Driving dynamics
- Energy-management strategies
- Hydrogen refueling processes
This holistic approach highlights significant opportunities to reduce hydrogen consumption and optimize operations for zero-emission rail services.
